Maria Kotanidis Pechlivanidis comes from a family deeply rooted in the local restaurant industry. Her family has operated establishments across South Jersey and beyond for over five decades. Her father founded the beloved local chain Pat’s Pizzeria in Pennsville in 1974.
As the managing partner of one of the chain’s longest-standing locations in Swedesboro, next to Botto’s on Kings Highway, she sought to reimagine the restaurant’s future. Earlier this year, she embarked on a comprehensive rebranding and renovation of the Swedesboro location, transforming the primary dining space into a new restaurant called Thymári—named after the Greek word for thyme.
While she aspired to introduce something fresh and distinctive, she was equally committed to preserving the legacy of the pizzeria, which has been a community staple for four decades. Thymari and Pat’s will coexist, with the latter continuing as a ghost kitchen operating from a separate side entrance for takeout and delivery.
Thymari will function as a full-service, sit-down BYOB restaurant. Eventually, it will offer wine selections from Kennedy Cellars. Its ambiance strikes a balance between rustic charm and understated elegance—more refined than a traditional pizzeria yet warm and inviting, embodying the spirit of authentic Greek hospitality.
“I have long dreamed of bringing a taste of Greece to this area,” said Pechlivanidis. “I want our guests to feel as though they’ve been transported to Greece, if only for one day.”
To bring her vision to life, she enlisted two seasoned chefs from Thessaloniki, Greece—her family’s homeland—to curate and execute the menu. These culinary experts will craft the dishes and train the local chefs she plans to hire. The menu will feature the rich culinary traditions of Thessaloniki, renowned as one of Greece’s premier gastronomic destinations and created with imported ingredients directly from Greece.
Thymari will showcase quintessential Greek cuisine, catering to those who have traveled to Greece and long for the flavors of grilled octopus or hearty meat platters. However, it will also introduce regional specialties that will set it apart from other Greek restaurants in South Jersey, offering an exciting and unique Greek dining experience.
Hours of operation are:
Tuesday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thymari Mediterranean Gastro Taverna
Where fresh ingredients and Mediterranean flavors come together in the heart of Swedesboro.
1423 Kings Hwy
Swedesboro, NJ 08085
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